Montana gained statehood in November 1889, just six days after both Dakotas and three days before Washington, in the busiest period for new statehood in U.S. history. Montana has been reliably Republican in recent presidential elections, having voted for only two Democrats since 1952. Interestingly, prior to 1952, the state had voted gone Democratic five times in a row – four times for Franklin Roosevelt and then for Harry Truman. Montana is one of seven states with the minimum three electoral votes. The race in 2008 was close, with John McCain defeating Barack Obama by just a 2.5% margin, the 4th closest race in the country. However, in 2012, the state reverted to form, with Mitt Romney winning by a 55% to 42% margin. This change (Obama losing by 11.5% more than in 2008) made Montana Obama's 3rd worst-performing state (relative to 2008), only trailing West Virginia and Utah.

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